Northville schools want $100 million bond approval from voters

Students at Hillside Middle School during a class change earlier this year. A Northville Public Schools bond proposal includes a $39.8 million replacement for Hillside just west of the school that would incorporate part of the existing complex.(Photo11: File photo)

Are Northville Public Schools voters willing to forgo tax decreases in order to pay for more than $100 million in building improvements that would reach every district school?

That question will be answered in November, when voters weigh in on a $104.85 million bond proposal.

The money would be used for building infrastructure updates, enhanced security features and the modernization of learning spaces. Approval, district officials say, would not raise taxes, as new taxes would be offset by anticipated decreases in the district's debt millage, which is expected to be fully retired after the 2023 tax year.

The current debt millage of 3.64 mills means annual taxes of $3.64 for every $1,000 of a property's taxable value, or $455 a year for the owners of a house with a taxable value of $125,000.

The school board in July voted 6-0 to put the bond proposal on the ballot. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

"It makes financial sense to bring this bond proposal before voters at this time,” Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher said in a press release. “It will enable the school district to address much-needed facility updates to meet the current and future educational needs of our students with no projected increase in the current debt millage rate. It also will allow the district to preserve general fund dollars for instruction and classroom needs by providing a dedicated funding source to address identified and prioritized site, facility, safety and security and equipment needs."

The board's decision followed an assessment of each district building by architecture and construction professionals and three months of study by a committee of parents, students, staff and community members.

The committee's estimates put district building infrastructure updates at nearly $78 million and reconfiguring and outfitting existing spaces to make them more flexible and encouraging of collaboration — and in some cases adding space — at just over $22 million, with bond costs and interest at about $4.3 million.

The total includes almost $39.8 million for a replacement for Hillside Middle School that would be located west of the current school and would incorporate parts of the existing structure. The committee chose that option after also considering a completely new school, estimated at $49 million, and a major updating of the current Hillside, priced at $35 million. Hillside opened in 1959 as Northville High School.

The recommendation also includes $4 million for new school buses; $2.67 million for the transportation facility; an $8 million renovation of the Old Village School, which officials plan on converting into central office space and an early childhood center; and $13.77 million for Northville High School, where dining and multipurpose space and additional fitness space are planned. Every district school would be getting some upgrades, officials say.

The committee's study followed an assessment of each district building by architecture and construction professionals.

The district scheduled a community forum for 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hillside, 775 North Center St. A second forum is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Meads Mill Middle School, 16700 Franklin Road.

The forum will include a presentation about the bond proposal, breakout sessions during which participants can learn more about specific project proposals and tours of the host school.

The district also invites residents to learn more about the proposal by visiting its website, www.northvilleschools.org, and clicking on the tab labeled 2017 Bond Information. Questions about the proposal can be emailed to nps@northvilleschools.org.